WALES boss Mark Hughes is hoping to lure French superstars Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira to the Millennium Stadium for a glamour friendly in the New Year.

Hughes' Wales have made their move after reigning European champions France were drawn against England in the coming Euro 2004 tournament.

Wales reckon the French will want a warm-up international against British opposition - and that they represent the best bet.

The move, according to Wales, would guarantee a 74,000 Millennium Stadium sell-out.

Wales have already written to France suggesting the game for one of three possible dates - February 18, March 31 or April 28.

The only stumbling block, Wales reckon, is if Hughes' men draw France in the World Cup qualifiers on Friday. If so, they don't believe a friendly would be a good idea.

Wales are also keen to host a friendly international with Croatia, another side who have been drawn against Sven-Goran Eriksson's team in Portugal this summer.

England's third Euro 2004 opponents, Switzerland, aren't seen as quite such a glamorous draw, though, and Wales say they don't want to play them.

France are very much top of the pecking order, with Wales believing that a clash with Zidane and co could match other top internationals which have been held at the Millennium Stadium in recent times.

And an FA of Wales spokesman explained, "There is an open invitation to play France in Cardiff.

"So far nothing has happened in response to our letters. But clearly the fact that the French have suddenly drawn England, and will doubtless want a warm-up match against British-style opposition, could give us an edge.

"Hopefully, once the World Cup draw is out of the way, France will get back to us and say 'yes' to our offer.

"It is a game which would sell out the Millennium Stadium. That is a factor we have to consider when arranging friendly matches.

"There are not many teams who you could say would fill our stadium.

"But, with the array of talent they have got, France are definitely one of the teams who would."

France possess a glut of players who ply their trade regularly against Welsh stars in the Premiership.

Henry, Vieira, Robert Pires and Sylvain Wiltord each play for Arsenal.

Marcel Desailly has been a rock at the back for Chelsea down the years, William Gallas also plays there, while Claude Makelele has recently joined the Stamford Bridge revolution.

Goalkeeper Barthez, of course, was a Manchester United regular before being displaced by Tim Howard this season. Mikael Silvestre is one of Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice defenders.

Real Madrid superstar Zidane is seen as the ace in the pack, however, dubbed as the most gifted footballer on the planet.

Zidane helped France qualify for Euro 2004 with a better record than any other nation, winning eight out of their matches in Group One.

The French are widely tipped to give England their toughest match since the World Cup meeting with Brazil last summer. And if Wales can get in first, the French superstars could light up the Millennium Stadium too.